Maruti Suzuki Hustler: Maruti Suzuki Hustler, a funky, off-road able hatch Maruti Suzuki has long been known for making simple, reliable cars that are inexpensive to both buy and maintain.
A cuke envied in Japan, where Suzuki knows a thing or two about small cars, the Hustler makes its presence known with a cheeky design, a tall-boy stance and a man-spreading approach to interior space.
It will be interesting to see if it comes to India under Maruti Suzuki’s banner, thus providing a relief from conventional hatchbacks and compact crossovers.
With increasing popularity for small cars that combine personality, value and efficiency, the Hustler could be well-positioned to attract younger and urban customers.
Funky and Youthful Exterior
The Hustler is enough to make you do a double take and then some. It’s upright and boxy, but cool and modern, not winkingly retro.
Round headlamps with LED surrounds, square bumpers, wheel arches and a contrasing roof give the car a jolly appearance.
Retrofuturistic bronzy gold and passionate purple dual-tone colour options for the exterior, along with rugged-looking black cladding, are designed to give the car an urban SUV feel, even if its dimensions are more city hatch than off-roader.
Its small size makes it perfect for tight city streets but the raised ground clearance imparts a bit of an adventurous feel to it.
From outside, the Hustler proclaims to be a fun, non-nonsense runabout.
Space-Optimized Interior
Get inside, and there is a surprisingly spacious cabin, given the car’s petite dimensions.
This tall-boy positioning provides great headroom, and the downward seating makes entering and exiting the cabin a piece of cake.
The dashboard design is clean with a sea of hard plastics — yet well done, with contrasting color accents and storage trays to break up the monotony.
There’s a touchscreen infotainment system (on the top variant) that supports smartphone connectivity, climate control and a semi-digital instrument cluster.
The rear seats lay flat to form a flexible luggage space that’s perfect for small families or anyone who has to carry miscellaneous things from time to time.
Storage is a second strong point: there are numerous cubbyholes, hooks and compartments to stow essentials.
It’s got practicality and everyday ease of use clearly in mind.
Engine and Driving Experience
In markets other than Japan, the Hustler is offered with a small 660cc petrol engine and also with a mild-hybrid system.
If it comes to India, Maruti Suzuki could give it their 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre petrol engine which is inherently fuel efficient and suitable for short commutes within the city.
The car is not about being fast — it’s about moving around easily. Its lightness of steering, small size and good visibility render it one of the friendliest for beginners.
The ride quality, meanwhile, should be soft enough for city roads, and the higher driving position will provide drivers with a commanding view of the road.
It’s and certainly nothing to boast about on the highway, but for city driving, it has all the bases covered.
Safety and Features
Standard safety kit is likely to be dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and a robust body structure.
Upmarket variants could be equipped with a reverse camera, hill-hold assist, and who knows, even lane alert systems if Maruti wants to pack-in such gizmos to offer advanced driver aids.
Pros
Funky good looks steal the show
Tall-boy design provides plenty of headroom and a nice big doorway.AppCompatActivity festures:ậWaterproof ground, water resistant fog and roof4) your satisfaction.
Small and agile – ideal for the city.
Versatile interior space with easy-to-reconfigure Adjustable rear seats
Powertrain Fuel-efficient engines and potential hybrid version
Cons
Not designed for aggressive driving – ideal for city driving
May be underpowered on freeways, especially with full passenger load
Construction quality is for practicality not poshness
Indian launch date unknown – might not be available for a while
Traditional sedan design not to everyone’s taste
Maruti Suzuki Hustler: Verdict
The Maruti Suzuki Hustler is the kind of a car that makes you happy. It’s not about big horsepower, or fancy interiors, but practicality, and personality, and fun.
For new buyers, city slicking or if you’re looking for a little something out of the box, the Hustler looks likely to be a welcome addition to the market.
If Maruti prices it well with practical features for Indian market, then there are good chances that this one might be a game changer for the compact car segment of India.